Chapter 8 - The Weight of the Bear
Victor’s gaze fell onto the ragged, worn brown teddy bear held in the small boy’s hands.
It was missing one glass button eye, its synthetic fur matted and faded by years of a child’s tight embrace. But around its neck was a thin, frayed red silk ribbon tied in a double knot—a specific, custom ribbon from a high-end toy shop on the Rue du Rhône in Geneva.
Victor remembered the precise snowy afternoon fourteen years ago when he had bought that exact bear for Elena on the day they learned she was pregnant with their first child, Daniel.
A terrible, suffocating sob tore from Victor’s throat.
The billionaire dropped to both knees directly onto the cold, dusty concrete floor, completely unmindful of his dark, expensive suit. He reached out with two trembling, powerful hands, taking the tiny brown bear from Noah’s fingers.
Victor pulled the ragged toy against his chest, bowing his head until his dark hair touched the dusty floor, his broad shoulders shaking violently as fifteen years of repressed grief, guilt, and love exploded out of him in ragged, agonizing sobs.
The two security guards at the door immediately lowered their flashlights, looking away in deep, uncomfortable respect for their master's complete collapse.
Noah stood inches away, watching the grown man cry on the floor. The six-year-old reached out a tiny, soft hand and gently laid his fingers on Victor’s broad, shaking shoulder.
"Don't cry, big man," Noah whispered softly. "Mommy said you were just lost."
Olivia knelt down beside Noah, her own tears flowing quietly as she watched the powerful billionaire unravel on the concrete.
"I tried to keep them safe, Mr. Moretti," Olivia whispered, her hand resting on Noah's back. "Elena was so scared of your power. She thought if you found out about the children, you would use your lawyers to take them away and lock her out forever."
May you like
Victor slowly raised his head, his face wet with tears, his dark eyes red and raw as he looked at Olivia.
"I would have moved heaven and earth for her, Olivia..." Victor sobbed out, his voice broken. "I searched for her for seven years... I never stopped looking..."
